The Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection in Hama (central Syria) continues to carry out intensive inspection tours of markets and commercial establishments in the city and its countryside, aiming to control violations and strengthen compliance with regulations and laws.

At the same time, citizens’ complaints about high prices and the spoilage of some food items, especially meat, remain strongly present. In Hama city, residents complain of rising prices that strain their budgets, while families live with daily concerns over food products that may not be fit for consumption.

High Prices and Spoiled Food Items

Zaid Hussein, 44, a resident of Hama city, told Enab Baladi, “Some meat in shops is spoiled, and minced chicken skin is added to meat, while traders control prices,” calling for “strict measures” to regulate the market, according to Hussein.

Asmahan, 45, raised more serious concerns, telling Enab Baladi that “meat from dead livestock seized in Hama’s countryside was on its way to citizens’ tables, contaminated meat unfit for human consumption.”

She called for “the need to standardize prices across all purchasing sectors” and tighten oversight of bakeries, describing the bread from one bakery as “lacking quality and standards for human consumption.”

In contrast, Ahmed Ibrahim told Enab Baladi that the QR system is “a step toward strengthening transparency and enabling citizens to access information directly,” praising the opportunity it gives citizens to participate in reporting violations.

The Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection in Hama had launched the QR coding program earlier, aiming to modernize inspection work, keep pace with technological development, and make it easier for consumers to obtain accurate information about the commercial businesses they deal with.

Main Violations Drop by More Than Half

Abdul Nasser Silo, director of the Consumer Protection Department at the Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection in Hama, told Enab Baladi that the most prominent violations detected during the tours are threefold: first, failing to announce prices, second, not possessing invoices for items offered for sale, and third, in many cases, fraud and deception against consumers.

Silo added that “the number of these violations has fallen by more than half compared with previous periods,” noting that “this reflects a clear improvement in commercial businesses’ compliance with regulations and laws.”

50 Monthly Tours and 500 to 700 Businesses Inspected

Regarding the scale of inspection tours, Silo said 50 tours were carried out during the current month, divided between the directorate in Hama city and its affiliated branches. The number of commercial businesses visited ranged from 500 to 700 different businesses, through tours prepared a day in advance.

After the required report is drawn up, it is referred to the competent committee, which determines the necessary action against the violator, whether a financial fine, confiscation, or closure. Some reports are also referred to the judiciary.

If any expired food item is seized, it is formally confiscated after the required report is drawn up and placed in the directorate’s warehouse pending a decision by the competent committee. If spoiled meat is seized, it is formally destroyed by the patrol in the presence of the concerned party.

Types of Complaints and Joint Coordination Mechanism

Silo explained that “complaints are divided into two types: written complaints, submitted when the complainant comes to the directorate’s headquarters or one of its affiliated branches, where the complaint is received directly and referred for processing after it is received.

“The second type is a phone complaint or phone report, submitted through a complaints number designated by the directorate. The complaint is then sent to the patrol present in the sector from which the complaint was filed so it can be addressed directly.”

Silo added, “There is coordination between the Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection and the Directorates of Health, Tourism, and Agriculture, through committees formed to follow up on businesses shared between these directorates.”

QR Codes Activated at 90%, With Mandatory Measures

Regarding the QR coding program, Silo revealed that quick response, QR, codes for commercial businesses in Hama city have been activated at a rate of 90%. The measure is mandatory, and if a business refuses, the necessary action is taken.

Silo explained that “if any change occurs at the business, such as a change of owner, change of profession, and so on, the Directorate of Internal Trade and the Consumer Protection Department must be informed of this change so that any data related to the business can be updated.

“If any business refuses the QR coding program or forges it, the required report is drawn up for violating ministerial instructions and referred to the competent committee.”

Silo stressed that the QR coding program is specific to the work of the Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection and is not currently linked to any other directorate, whether financial, health, or municipal.

Awareness Campaigns and Mandatory Price Announcements

After the QR program was launched, several awareness videos were published for citizens explaining how it works. When the QR code is granted to any business, it is tested in front of citizens to explain how it works.

The Consumer Protection Directorate currently requires shop owners to announce prices to consumers and leave consumers the choice to select the item and price that suit them. If any complaint is submitted about selling at an excessive price, the complaint is verified and the required report is drawn up.